Zovirax Ophthalmic Ointment

Country: Australia

Language: English

Source: Department of Health (Therapeutic Goods Administration)

Active ingredient:

aciclovir

Available from:

GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd

INN (International Name):

Aciclovir

Class:

Medicine Registered

Authorization status:

Registered

Patient Information leaflet

ZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC
(EYE) OINTMENT
_Acyclovir_
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET
This leaflet answers some common
questions about Zovirax ophthalmic
ointment. It does not contain all the
available information.
It does not take the place of talking to
your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and
benefits. Your doctor has weighed
the risks of you using Zovirax
ophthalmic ointment against the
benefits they expect it will have for
you.
IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS
MEDICINE, ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR
PHARMACIST.
KEEP THIS LEAFLET WITH YOUR
MEDICINE.
You may need to read it again.
WHAT ZOVIRAX
OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT
IS USED FOR
Zovirax ophthalmic ointment is used
for the treatment of herpes simplex
virus infections of the eye.
Aciclovir (the active ingredient in
Zovirax ophthalmic ointment)
belongs to a group of medicines
called "anti-virals".
Zovirax ophthalmic ointment works
by stopping the production of the
herpes simplex virus. Zovirax
ophthalmic ointment does not get rid
of the virus from your body.
Zovirax ophthalmic ointment is only
suitable for use in the eye.
Your doctor may have prescribed
Zovirax ophthalmic ointment for
another purpose. Ask your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions
about why Zovirax ophthalmic
ointment has been prescribed for you.
There is no evidence that Zovirax
ophthalmic ointment is addictive
This medicine is available only with
a doctor's prescription.
BEFORE YOU USE
ZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC
OINTMENT
_WHEN YOU MUST NOT USE IT_
DO NOT USE ZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC
OINTMENT IF:
•
YOU HAVE OR HAVE HAD AN ALLERGY
TO ZOVIRAX, ACICLOVIR,
VALACICLOVIR OR ANY OF THE
INGREDIENTS LISTED AT THE END OF
THIS LEAFLET
DO NOT USE ZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC
OINTMENT IF THE PACKAGING IS TORN OR
SHOWS SIGNS OF TAMPERING.
DO NOT USE ZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC
OINTMENT IF THE EXPIRY DATE (EXP)
PRINTED ON THE PACK HAS PASSED.
If you use this medicine after the
expiry date has passed, it may not
work as well.
DO NOT USE ZOVIRAX OPHTHALMIC
OINTMENT 28 DAYS AFTER FIRST
OPENING THE TUBE.
IF YOU ARE NOT

Summary of Product characteristics

1
PRODUCT INFORMATION
ZOVIRAX

OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT
NAME OF THE MEDICINE: Aciclovir
DESCRIPTION:
Aciclovir
is
a
synthetic
acyclic
purine
nucleoside
analogue.
Its
chemical
name
is
9-((2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl)guanine. It is a white crystalline powder.
Each gram of Zovirax
Ophthalmic Ointment contains 30 mg of aciclovir in white soft paraffin
base (aciclovir 3 per
cent).
PHARMACOLOGY:
MICROBIOLOGY:
Aciclovir is an antiviral agent which is active _in vitro_ against
_Herpes simplex_ virus (HSV) types
I and II. However, the relationship between _in vitro_ sensitivity of
herpes viruses to aciclovir
and
clinical
response
to
therapy
has
yet
to
be
established.
Aciclovir
needs
to
be
phosphorylated to the active compound, aciclovir triphosphate, in
order to become active
against the virus. Such conversion is very limited in normal cells and
in addition cellular DNA
polymerase is not very sensitive to the active compound. However, in
infected cells HSV or
VZV-coded thymidine kinase facilitates the conversion of aciclovir to
aciclovir monophosphate
which is then converted to aciclovir triphosphate by cellular enzymes.
Aciclovir triphosphate
acts as an inhibitor of, and substrate for, the herpes-specified DNA
polymerase, preventing
further viral DNA synthesis.
PHARMACOKINETICS:
Aciclovir is absorbed through the corneal epithelium and superficial
ocular tissues, and
achieves significant concentrations in aqueous humour. Small
quantities (2-16% of the
applied dose) appear in the urine. In animal studies low levels of
aciclovir could be detected
in blood after topical application to the eye.
INDICATIONS:
Treatment of _Herpes simplex_ keratitis.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Patients with known hypersensitivity to aciclovir or valaciclovir.
PRECAUTIONS:
Patients should be informed that transient mild stinging immediately
following application may
occur.
Patients should avoid wearing contact lenses when using Zovirax
Ophthalmic Ointment.
Resistant strains have been isolated _in vitro_ and in animals
following treatment with aciclovir.
HSV str